Why do you want to become (or are already on the way to becoming) a jewelry designer? What drives you? How do you channel your excitement? Is it something to do with what type of person you are? How you view the world? How you want to fill your time? It turns out there are many types of people who become jewelry designers. Although they may have different aspirations and ambitions underlying their excitement about jewelry design, they find common ground and a common way of thinking about making and designing jewelry. But because jewelry design has not yet become a full-fledged, recognizable discipline all its own, it sometimes becomes difficult to get clarity on how to channel your excitement into an avocation or career. Your support group is often made up of a polyglot of crafters and artists, some who do not fully understand jewelry making and design. Advice can be diffuse. Clients have difficulty evaluating the value of your work, frequently expressing misunderstandings about what is good. This can lead to self-doubt, which better designers learn to manage and overcome.
GETTING STARTED: CHANNELING YOUR EXCITEMENT What drives you to pursue your passion for jewelry?
“Why Are You A Jewelry Artist?” As if you had a choice…
It often is difficult for others to understand why you consider yourself a jewelry designer. How did this come to be? How did you get started? Were you always artistic? Is your family crafty? How did you learn these things? Why jewelry? Why do you get so excited about all this? Do you want to make a living out of it? Can you really sell things?
They don’t really feel these things like you do. They don’t feel this pulsing heart, this urge to create, and this passion to make jewelry. When you get started making jewelry, it’s hard to stop. It becomes ingrained in you. What may have begun as a hobby evolves into something you cannot live without. Applying your creative self becomes habit, almost addicting, often relaxing and self-affirming … and painful to do without.
As a jewelry artist, you have a purpose in life. It is something you do because you must do it. It is what helps you function in life. You make new amazing pieces, share these, and make some more new amazing pieces. You have those little conversations with yourself about the various choices you are making, when designing a piece of jewelry, and this can be therapeutic, informative, reaffirming. And, you are ever in search of developing those insightful, smart strategies for merging voice with form, aesthetics with function, your intent with the desires of others. …
Some Updates and Things Happening. (Please share this newsletter)
Some Updates and Things Happening. (Please share this newsletter)
In this Issue: 1. What Does It Mean To Be A Professional In The Arts? 2. Jewelry Heightens “Tailored For You” Theme of Met Gala 3. INSTORE Design 2025 Awards: Pearls Category 4. How To Be A Social Media Star 5. The Signet Ring
Some articles you may have missed Featured
1. What Does It Mean To Be A Professional In The Arts?
“The word professional gets tossed around a lot. It shows up on resumes, in bios, on LinkedIn profiles, and in funding proposals. It implies credibility, mastery, and often, innovation. But in the arts, where the boundaries are more fluid and the path less linear, professionalism doesn’t always look the way the wider world expects. It rarely fits neatly into a traditional space. And more importantly, it doesn’t have to.
For more than 25 years, I was creative director at Patina Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico — a space that celebrated contemporary studio jewelry artists working at the highest level of their disciplines. We didn’t represent work that merely looked good under lights. We represented work made with intention, with heart, with soul, and with vision. That was the benchmark for professionalism as I came to understand it: not a title, but a way of being.
Now, through Serious Play, I work with artists, gallerists, and cultural leaders who ask deeper questions. How do I define success on my own terms? How do I grow without losing my center? What does it mean to be a working artist or arts leader right now, in the face of global uncertainty, shifting values, and vanishing support systems?”
“From brooches to statement necklaces and diamonds galore, the Met Gala, which always takes place the first Monday in May, was a veritable feast for the eyes when it came to jewelry and how celebrity guests interpreted the theme of the evening, “Tailored For You.” As always, the theme for the gala left room for creative interpretation — in this case, menswear tailoring and suitings that will be on display as part of Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute’s exhibition. For 2025, the exhibition is entitled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and is partly inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Miller is a guest curator of the exhibit with the Costume Institute’s curator in charge, Andrew Bolton. The exhibit features a cultural and historical look at Black style and dandyism, which dates to the 18th century. It is the first exhibit to focus exclusively on designers of color. As for the gala, the turnout couldn’t have been more star-studded, with big names from arenas such as film, music and sports.”
“The jewelers finding the most success aren’t just posting sporadically — they’re committing time and resources, experimenting with multiple platforms, and leveraging the unique storytelling capabilities that only video can provide. whether it’s viral videos that rack up six-figure views, educational content about gemstones that builds trust, or behind-the-scenes looks at custom design processes that humanize the business, these retailers are finding that authenticity and creativity drive both engagement and sales.”
It’s a job. You have to devote time to it. You want to establish expertise. You want to provide a window into your products and services. You want to recruit and retain customers. You want to clearly identify your competitive advantage(s). Video reins supreme. It all comes down to good storytelling.
There was a short article in the most recent newsletter (#79) from Klimt02 about signet rings, some history, and some examples of contemporary interpretations.
“Passed down from one family member to another, the signet ring represents clan or family affiliation and carries deep symbolic and historical value. Originally used to authenticate official documents, this iconic jewellery typology has transcended centuries, worn by ancient Egyptian nobles, embraced by religious orders with the renowned Papal Fisherman’s Ring, associated with the mafia in the previous century, and now adopted as a fashion statement by the bling-bling generation. / Cécile Maes”
9/15/2025–10/15/2025 Art Jewelry Exhibit at Pryor Gallery, Columbia State Community College
My pieces will be showcased an this exhibit. In the works is a possible Seminar and a beading workshop.
Repairs Stumping You? Let Me Take A Look
I take in a lot of jewelry repairs. People either bring them to me in Columbia, TN, or, I pick them up and deliver them back in Nashville. I am in Nashville at least once a week. It’s been convenient for most people to meet me at Green Hills Mall. But if not, I can come to your workplace or your home. This is perfectly fine for me. My turnaround time typically is 3–4 weeks.
I do most repairs, but I do not do any soldering. I also do not repair watches. These are the kinds of repairs I do:
o Beaded jewelry o Pearl knotting, hand knotting o Size/Length adjustment o Re-stringing o Wire work/weave/wrap o Micro macrame o Broken clasp replacfement o Earring repair o Replace lost rhinestones or gemstones o Stone setting o Stretchy bracelet o Metal working which does not involve soldering o Bead woven jewelry and purses o Beaded clothing o Custom jewelry design
WARREN FELD JEWELRY (www.warrenfeldjewelry.com) Custom Design, Workshops, Video Tutorials, Webinars, Coaching, Kits, Group Activities, Repairs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join our community of jewelry designers on my Patreon hub Be part of a community of jewelry designers who recognize that we have a different way of thinking and doing than other types of crafters or artists. One free downloadable Mini-Lesson of your choice for all new members! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
